High School Students
The University of Kentucky is transforming tomorrow by training the next generation. Effective September 2019, there is no longer a formal high school program that requires an application.
High School Research Program
The UK High School Student Research program is designed to support the introduction of high school students to the excitement of research and discovery and to encourage the future enrollment of outstanding students at the University of Kentucky.
High school students from across the state work on research projects under the direct supervision of UK faculty mentors. Sometimes this is done for academic credit at the high-school level or is initiated by the student as an extracurricular activity.
We hope to attract such outstanding students to the University of Kentucky as undergraduates and hopefully, in future years, as graduate or professional students.
Minors Involved in University-Sponsored Programs or Programs Held at UK
Program leaders shall ensure that all program staff and any other individuals who will have direct contact with minors have been subject to a criminal background check and a National Sex Offender Public Registry check within the previous five years. If you have any questions concerning criminal background checks and/or National Sex Offender Public Registry checks, please contact Alex Ortiz in Human Resources at maorti2@uky.edu or 859-257-2608 for additional information.
University-Sponsored Program Leaders
Are you the program leader for a university-sponsored program or a program held at UK that will involve minors? Start Here.
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14 days prior to program start complete this form
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Participant's parents must complete this form
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Program leaders must complete the following training:
Prior to beginning any assignments with programs including minors all program leaders shall complete the appropriate training administered through Risk Management, or its designee, every three years. To access training: Training Requirement for: Minors Involved in University-Sponsored Programs or Programs Held at the University AR 6:12. The training link changed as of June 1, 2024.
The link to the training click HERE
The registration process will require the following Branch Code: 473-89071
When you get to the learning portal, register as a new user if this is your first time taking the training or log in with your existing credentials. Once registered, United Educators will email you a temporary password. After logging in with the temporary password, you’ll be prompted to change your password and provide a secret question/answer.
You will then be directed to the Learning Portal.
In My Courses, select “Protecting Children: Identifying and Reporting Misconduct”. This training is scheduled to last 45 minutes.
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Minors Working in Wet Lab or Other Research Facility as Part of an Individual Project
Will the minor work in a wet lab or other research facility as part of an individual project? Start Here.
Minors under the age of 14 are not permitted inside of any of these University of Kentucky locations unless as part of an official UK sponsored program, tour, or event (i.e., science fair) designed for youth under the age of 14 for which documented safety policies have been established. For information about university-sponsored programs, please visit this webpage.
Ensure that participating minors have been provided a sponsored LinkBlue account
Review Safety of Minors in Research Approval Process
Review Safety of Minors in Research Process Flowchart
More Resources.
Student WildCard ID
UK Mentors are responsible for submitting documentation for high school students to get a WildCard ID.
HS Student Parking at UK
UK Transportation Services is able to provide high school students with access to campus, in the same manner, we do our traditional students. This includes a variety of parking options.
Present Your Research
Share your research! High school students are also eligible to present their faculty-mentored research at the annual Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars typically held the last Wednesday in April in the Gatton Student Center Ballrooms.
Presenting your research provides you with an important opportunity to share your findings and results with other students and faculty and gain valuable feedback on your work, as well as practice your public speaking skills.
